"He is a bold lad--" "A pretty, inexperienced boy," said Sirona, "neither more nor less.

It was a heedless thing, no doubt, to admit him to my rooms, but no vestal need be ashamed to own to such favor as I showed him.

I am innocent, and I will remain so that I may stand in my father's presence without a blush when I have earned money enough in the capital for the long journey." Paulus looked in her face astonished and almost horrified.
Then he had in fact taken on himself guilt which did not exist, and perhaps the senator would have been slower to condemn Sirona, if it had not been for his falsely acknowledging it.

He stood before her, feeling like a child that would fain put together some object of artistic workmanship, and who has broken it to pieces for want of skill.

At the same time he could not doubt a word that she said, for the voice within him had long since plainly told him that this woman was no common criminal.
For some time he was at a loss for words; at last he said timidly: "What do you purpose doing in Alexandria ?" "Polykarp says, that all good work finds a purchaser there," she answered.